Big brother is watching: Around 34 religious leaders and workers to be monitored by home dept

HYDERABAD:

The Sindh Home department has added names of 34 religious leaders and workers in the 4th schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 which allows them to monitor the activities of those mentioned in connection to terrorism. These 34 individuals are from ten districts covered by the Hyderabad police.

The list was issued on July 3 by the home department on a recommendation made by DIG Hyderabad Sanaullah Abbasi on June 10. Fifteen of the men mentioned on the list belong to the now defunct Sipah Sahaba Pakistan, 11 are with the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, two each working with the Jaish-e-Muhammad and Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen. Four others were listed on the basis of sectarian affiliations.

Around 25 people from the Hyderabad police region which covers 10 districts of Hyderabad, Bhanbore and Nawabshah division are already listed under the fourth schedule. With these new additions, the total number of people under observation has reached 59.

In a letter from the IG’s office dated July 3, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, the IG directed the police to monitor activities of these individuals.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2014.